Prime Minister Andy Burnham is continuing to shape his government team as he begins his first full day as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. On Monday, the Merseyside-born politician officially became the country's seventh Prime Minister in a decade, replacing Sir Keir Starmer just two years after Labour's landslide general election victory.
Burnham Promises Hope and Devolution
Speaking outside Downing Street, the former Greater Manchester Mayor promised to bring "hope" back to the nation and to "put the care of people at the heart" of all he does. He also pledged the biggest change in the way the country does politics for 40 years, saying he will "rewire" Britain and push power out of Westminster.
Cabinet Changes Underway
Burnham quickly got to work sacking key Starmer loyalists, including David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Steve Reed, and Darren Jones. He made a surprise pick of former Defence Secretary John Healey as Chancellor, keeping Shabana Mahmood as Home Secretary and moving Ed Miliband to the Foreign Office.
Angela Rayner returns to Housing, Yvette Cooper takes Health, and former Health Secretary Wes Streeting moves to Defence. Long-term Burnham allies Lucy Powell, Lisa Nandy, and Louise Haigh also secured key roles. Merseyside is represented in cabinet by Knowsley MP Anneliese Midgley, who becomes Chief Whip, and Angela Eagle, who becomes Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
First Policy Announcement
The new Prime Minister launched his tenure with an eye-catching policy announcement, stating he will remove VAT from electricity bills in October. More ministerial appointments are expected throughout the day.
